Texans Draft Profile: Washington Cornerback Kevin King

Few cornerbacks in the well-stocked 2017 NFL Draft class can match Kevin King’s blend of size, speed and ball skills.

Washington cornerback Kevin King

Class: SR

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 200 pounds

40-yard dash: 4.43

Vertical: 39.5 inches

Pros:

King is a tall and lengthy cornerback who has the athleticism to go along with it. He is smooth in transition when turning, able to locate the ball when it is in the air.

In run support, King may be the top tackler from the cornerback position. King has the versatility to move around in the secondary and able to cover side line to side line if needed at the safety position. Even though he’s tall he played well in the slot.

Cons:

Following in line with previous UW cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Marcus Peters, King gets caught using his hands down the field. It is a habit that can be broken and one that teams will take the risk versus reward. He needs to be more physical at the line of scrimmage in press coverage, where the receiver can get a free run and catch King flat footed.

Overview:

King is the next in a line of impressive cornerbacks from Washington who can make an impact in the NFL. He uses his length well and has a gifted knack for making a play on the ball.

As a sophomore, he started 12 games at safety where he showed the ability to play sideline to sideline and make tackles as the last line of defense. There were questions about King’s athleticism before the testing phase of the draft, but King answered all those questions with above-average marks. He has smooth hips in transition when made to turn and run with a receiver.

King will need to get better at press coverage, as he tends not to get a good punch on the receiver giving him a free run. King should be a target at pick No. 25 for the Texans. He projects to be an instant starter and upgrade in the secondary, even able to play safety.

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